DoczDock

We are thinking of towing a 47 Fountain through Canada next weekend. We will be entering at Queenston, ON (Queenston/Lewiston bridge) and exiting at Sarnia (blue Water Bridge). Any special rules or documentation that we will need? The beam is 9' and I know that may be a problem, just not sure how fussy they are over there. Anyone have any advice?

max930

Its the same as towing in the U.S. About the only thing different most provinces if you have air brakes, you need the commercial endorsement on your drivers license. Even if you don't drive commercially. So if you have air brakes, it could be a hassle. As far as the borders, both sides may want a current boat registration. They usually check to see if its stolen. Oh and make sure everyone in the vehicle has a current passport. While not needed to go into Canada. Getting back into the U.S. is a real pain in the butt without them. Also entering Canada, if anyone has even minor criminal convictions like DUI, they wont let you in without a waiver (get them at Canadian consulate or Embassy). Other then that its pretty easy.

soldier4402

towed my 29 through 3 years ago, just have proper working equipment, and have registration like you should have anyways

BOATMAN302

I think the question is about the 9 feet width. 8 feet 6 inches is the limit. Your 29 isnt 9 feet wide I think.

jriggs

Where are you headed Greg? I think if you actually measure a 47 at the stern with plumb bobs and crap, they are really only 8'6" at that point. Pretty sure they flare out to 9' up front by the windshield. I have measured mine and it is not 9' at the transom.

greg800le

You may wish to call the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) and speak with someone in enforcement. They are the guys who wil give you the most grief if you're unlucky enough to get stopped along an Ontario highway. They ramped up enforcement on recreational trailering in 2015 and I've noticed more big boat trailers detained at their weigh scales. Your 47' will be noticed. As an Ontario resident I need a commercial drivers licence (class A), my tow vehicle registered for the combined weight of truck & trailer, annual safety inspections on both truck & trailer to tow a 35' Lightning. My only exemption is I do not require a Comercial Vehicle Operator Registration (CVOR) as long as everything is solely mine for recreation only. There is probably a reciprocal agreement with Ontario & your State so as long as you have all the paperwork. Too many collisions with unsafe recreational trailers prompted the province to enact these regulations.

speicher lane

As of July 1st, the MTO and the Ontario Provincial Police have been on a major crack down on truck/ trailer combo's as new legislation came into effect.

If you look more legit than you need to be, you will have no problem ie - multiple tie downs over the length of the boat, transom and bow lines... as well as the tow rig looking suitable for hauling your aircraft carrier on a trailer

max930

I waited to ask police officers first. Despite being RCMP and in traffic enforcement in BC. Most of the traffic laws, especially on highways are pretty much uniform across Canada. Basically if it fits in a lane, you shouldn't be bothered. The width is the same across Canada, except in Alberta. There under certain circumstances they can go 10ft. On certain things with vehicle registration if its legal in your home jurisdiction, its legal everywhere. Canada customs is supposed to check two things, vehicle registration and proof of insurance. Basically if they let you in. They've given permission to drive in all of Canada as is! Its similar for an Albertan, if their car and trailer is properly registered and insured. They can drive as is anywhere. Canadians that are harassed visiting other provinces, the police know its not legal in their home province, so they can get a ticket. With a U.S. plated car they pretty much have to assume its legal in your state.

DoczDock

Thanks to all for the info. We are towing with a brand new 1Ton Duramax Diesel (SRW). Sounds like a good chance that we will be ok unless someone stops us and really get's picky. We will make sure that we have all of the documentation mentioned above as well as passports for ourselves. All are legal to go into Canada. We are going from Buffalo to Grand Haven, MI and it will cut almost two hours off the trip vs going through the states.....

Pete35Fountain

You'll pass 3 scale houses assuming you're traveling QEW to 403 to 402. The super coop just past St. Catherines which pretty much open all the time. Putnam scale house between Woodstock and London which is a training facility and 1 just outside Sarnia. With US plates, I'd carry on past the scales and plead ignorance but they can and have jumped into their vehicles and chased down such combos. You won't be over width but if chased, they will check for properly working brakes and couplers after verifying paperwork. They also may escort you back to the scale house and check for GVRW and length. If you're pleasant and feed a bloated inspectors ego with appropriate questions to appear to be eager to educate yourself, things will go easy. Get an attitude, and the dynamics change real fast.
Along the QEW, dragging a 47, exercise some caution...traffic can be overflowing with idjits and morons. be wary of your length on the ramp from QEW to 403 westbound. If memory serves me, that ramp is a tight radius.... swing wide. Going down into Hamilton it's basically a downgrade into town with a few nice curves...but once you start climbing back up the mountain and head out of town, things will get better quickly. It's construction season...be wary of signs specifying oversized loads being restricted. You're not oversized but in those areas with consideration for the other traffic, things can go wrong fast.